In addition to the free messaging, AT&T is rolling out reduced international calling rates. The new World Connect Value package that includes 1¢ per minute calls to "over 35 countries, including Canada and Mexico." Those other countries are located exclusively in the Caribbean and Central and South America, and tiny nations like St. Pierre and Miquelon are counted among them.

Press release:

AT&T Delivers More Value To Mobile Share Customers With Unlimited Messaging To The World

AT&T Also Introduces New International Calling Rates from the U.S. for as Low as 1 Cent Per Minute

DALLAS, Feb. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* today announced two of its best-ever offers for international messaging and direct dial calling from the U.S., delivering more value to customers who want to connect with family, friends and coworkers living abroad.

On Friday, February 28, all AT&T Mobile Share and Mobile Share Value plans will now include unlimited international messaging from the U.S. to the world.** AT&T consumer and business Mobile Share customers can send unlimited text, picture and video messages. Current Mobile Share and Mobile Share Value customers will automatically benefit from this offer.
AT&T is also excited to introduce international calling from the U.S. to any number anytime to over 35 countries, including Canada and Mexico, for 1¢ per minute with our new international calling package, World Connect ValueSM.***

The "penny-per-minute" calling rates also apply to calls made to any number in the majority of Latin American and Caribbean countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Saba, St. Barthelemy, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Pierre and Miquelon, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Venezuela.

"Two weeks ago, we introduced our best-ever value plans for families and small businesses, and now we're delivering some of our best offers for international," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility. "When you combine these phenomenal new offers, our leading device portfolio available at $0 down with AT&T Next, the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network****, and our award winning customer service -- there is no comparison -- our customers get incredible value."

World Connect Value will be available to all AT&T wireless postpaid customers, including those who have Wireless Home Phone service, for $5 a month as of Friday, February 28. The package offers low rate calling from the U.S. to over 225 countries. At launch, complete details will be available at att.com/worldconnect.

Review all our international calling plans at att.com/global.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T

**Unlimited Messaging: Includes unlimited domestic and international text, picture, and video messages, received or sent from the US, Puerto Rico and the USVI. Unlimited messaging applies only to AT&T's Short Messaging Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and not to any other messaging services or applications. Using such other messaging services or applications will incur cellular data charges, unless used over Wi-Fi. Messages are for direct communication between mobile phones and must originate from your mobile phone number. Messages sent to tablets, laptops, or other connected devices are excluded. Service may be terminated or restricted for tethered messaging, excessive international messaging or misuse.

International Messaging: includes unlimited international messaging to more than 190 countries for text messages and 120 countries for picture & video messages. Messaging capabilities vary by country. AT&T may change countries at its discretion. Visit att.com/text2world for details.

***AT&T World Connect Value℠ Package: Rates are subject to change at any time. $0.01/minute rate applies to calls to wireless and wireline numbers made to the selected countries identified at att.com/worldconnect. AT&T reserves the right to terminate your AT&T World Connect Value Package for excessive usage, and then current international long distance pay-per-use rates will apply to calls you make to those countries. Calls to special services, such as Premium Rated Services, may cost more. Other restrictions and limitations apply.

Maybe I'm reading too much into this but the fine print describes "Unlimited Messaging" as "messages, RECEIVED OR SENT from the US, Puerto Rico and the USVI. But only describes International messaging as "messaging TO more than 190 countries for text messages and 120 countries for picture & video messages." Note the emphasis to the word "TO" with nothing about FROM. Will incoming International messages still cost?

AT&T currently treats messages received from the US as domestic even when roaming. Also receiving international texts while in the US is covered too. The only time you will be charged after this is when you are sending messages while roaming outside the country.

I suggested this early last year to O2 here in the UK. Would save me a fortune as having friends and family throughout Europe, North America, Israel, etc is costing me a fortune. I know loads of people use whatsapp, but not everyone has a smartphone believe it or not.

Every AT&T customer has to thank John Legere of T-Mobile for kicking these guys into high gear. This addition along with the slashing of family plan pricing with INCREASED data plans has finally brought GREAT value to AT&T mobile plans since they eliminated Unlimited everything plans.

I mean I know. To call them but to say what? That they need to lower the price because I think that it is too expensive. I really wish that T-mobile has a high end windows phone which I will be full price and have the $70 unlimited data.

You might not have to say much of anything. I was in an online chat the other day and the rep suggested that I change my plan to 4 lines for $160/mo which would save me over $100/mo (4 lines for $260). Just mention you saw an ad for their latest 4 lines for $160 promo and would like to switch (unless you only have a single line, in which case, you might be on your own there...).

Nice. I've been an AT&T customer for eight years now...there has been a rough patch here and there, but I've been really happy with their service for the most part. This is a nice add, especially for travelers.

Makes you wonder if VOIP services like Ooma and T-Mobile were beginning to take money away from this bad boy and now they're trying to stop the bleeding. Either way, cool!
Competition lowering prices for us all. What a concept.